Display and storage stand



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Z2207? 1. wood United States Patent Ofiice 3,%Z8,2l2 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 3,028,212 DISPLAY AND STORAGE STAND Wilburn L. Wood, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ripon Corporation, Bensenville, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 69,946 4 Claims. (Cl. 312-275) My invention relates to storage and display cases, and more particularly to cases which may be closed and locked to prevent the unauthorized removal of goods therefrom, and which, when opened, provides for the display and convenient removal of the stored goods.

For purposes of disclosing my invention I have chosen to show and describe it as it may be embodied in a storage and display case for cans of oil for use at a gasoline station. At present cases of the character noted usually comprise a plurality of vertical racks arranged in side by side relation in an opening in at least one wall of the case, and in each of which racks a plurality of cans of oil are stacked with the lowermost can seated on the bottom of the rack and the cans above being arranged with the bottom of each can seating on the top of the can immediately therebelow so that the uppermost can in the rack may be removed by simply lifting it from the rack. A removable panel or cover is usually provided to fit over the opening in the wall of the case and is arranged to be locked in closed position to prevent access to the cans of oil on the racks. Such typical known arrangements in use today require the physical removal of the cover when the case is to be opened and storing the cover in an out of the way place. Upon closing of the gasoline station, the attendant retrieves the cover from its place of storage and assemblies and locks it to the case. The removal, storage and replacement of the cover are inconvenient and time consuming in the operation of a gasoline station. In gasoline stations having several cases of the character indicated, the aforementioned inconveniences are compounded.

It is an object of my invention to avoid the aforementioned and other disadvantages of known cases by providing a storage and display case embodying novel closure means characterized by being movable to a position within the case in effecting opening of the same.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a storage and display case having a plurality of stationary storage racks arranged at an access opening in at least one wall of the case, and closure means comprising a plurality of closure members or covers, one for each of the storage racks, and rotatable relative to the latter to positions forwardly of the storage racks, covering the racks and closing the access opening in the wall of the case and to positions rearwardly of the storage racks providing access to goods thereon through the access opening in the wall of the case.

A further object of my invention is to provide a storage and display case as last noted in which the several rotatable covers are inter-connected so that rotation imparted to any one of them is imparted correspondingly to the others.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, I propose to provide a case of the class noted having an opening in at least one wall thereof in which a plurality of stationary storage racks are arranged in side by side relation, and in which the wall of the case and the axes of the several storage racks extend preferably upwardly and inwardly of the base of the case. The stationary storage racks, when employed for canned goods, are preferably arcuate in cross-section and are disposed in fixed position in the case with the concave surfaces facing toward the opening in the wall of the case so as to provide curved surfaces, preferably of the radius of the cans to be stacked thereon, to afford a snug surface support for the juxtaposed portions of the outer surfaces of the cans contained in each of the racks. For goods of other configurations or shapes, the stationary storage racks may be conformably shaped to receive and support the goods.

Closure means is provided for closing the opening in the wall of the case and to cover all the racks and in the preferred embodiment of my invention herein disclosed, such closure means comprises a plurality of cover members, preferably of semi-cylindrical form when the case is to be used with canned goods, one for each of the stationary racks, of lengths substantially coextensive of the length of the wall opening and the racks, and of combined width equal to the width of the opening in the wall and of individual widths to cover the goods stored on the racks. Each cover member is rotatably mounted at its up per and lower ends on the axis of the rack with which it is associated and the several cover members are movable to positions closing the wall opening and covering the cans in the stationary racks, and to open position in which they are disposed behind or rearwardly of the racks so as to uncover the wall opening and expose the cans of goods on the racks for ready removal therefrom. In a preferred embodiment of my invention, the several covers are inter-connected so that upon imparting rotation to one of them, the others are rotated correspondingly. Also, suitable lock elements are provided, preferably between one end cover member and at the side of the opening in the wall so that a lock may be applied to such elements to lock the several covers in closed position.

A preferred feature of my invention resides in providing the outside surfaces of the covers with illustrations simulating the labels on the goods or the goods stored on the stationary racks so that in the closed positions of the covers it appears to the eye that the actual goods are on display. Thus in the closed positions of the covers they present a view of the goods contained with the case and affords for advertising of such goods as well as an indication to the user of the case of the kind of goods stored behind the covers on the stationary racks.

The above and other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and utilizing a storage and display case in accordance with my invention, I shall describe in connection with accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a storage and display case constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the case of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed horizontal sec-- tional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of one of the stationary racks embodied in the case of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one of the closure members or covers embodied in the case of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a gang operator for inter-connecting the several rotatable covers of the case shown in FIGURES 1 through 4.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings, I have shown a storage and display case embodying my invention comprising front and rear walls indicated generally at 7 and 8, respectively, and a pair of end walls 9 and 10. The case is fabricated of sheet metal of a gauge suflicient for the requirement to be met and when the invention is employed with storage and display stands for gasoline stations, it should be of heavy gauge to provide a strong and durable case as well as one which may not be readily broken into when left unattended, as during the closed hours of the station. The particular form or shape of the storage and display case is not critical and may vary widely from the form of case shown in the drawings. In the preferred form of my invention, however, it will be observed that the case comprises a base member 12 and the lower portions 14 and 15, respectively, of the front and rear walls 7 and 8 are inclined upwardly toward each other inwardly of the case to provide, as will be presently described for the support of stacks of cans of oil in an inclined relation to prevent accidental tipping or collapsing of the stacks of cans of oil. The lower portions 14 and 15 of the front and rear walls 7 and 8 are of like construction and in the following description the components at the lower portion 14 of the front wall 7 will only be described, it being understood that if desired, the same structure may be embodied in the lower portion 15 of the rear wall 8. The terms front and rear walls in regard to the case of the present invention have been selected arbitrarily in that as will be appreciated, the present invention may be embodied in a case to which the gasoline station operator has access to either front or back so in that sense the two walls may be interchangeably conceived as constituting front or back walls. Typically a case of the type shown in the drawings may be mounted on an island between a pair of gasoline pumps with the end walls 9 and 1t) opposite the pumps so as to provide ready access to the stored cans of oil in the case from either the front or back in the sense above related. It will be understood, however, as previously indicated, that the shape and configuration of a storage and display case embodying my invention may vary widely and may be adapted to any case of the class indicated for the purposes as described in connection with the specific embodiment disclosed of the storage and display as well as the convenient dispensing of cans of oil stored in the case.

The case of my present invention is fabricated according to well known sheet metal working expedients in view of which it is believed that a detailed description of the front, back and side walls of the case and the manner in which they are assembled is not essential to an understanding of the present invention. Thus, for purposes of describing my present invention, the following description will be limited to the lower portion 14 of the wall 7, it being understood that my invention may be applied to any wall component of an enclosed case. It will be observed that the lower portion 14 of the wall 7 is provided with an access opening, indicated in FIG- URE 2 by the reference numeral 20, the upper and lower ends of which are defined by horizontally extending upper and lower metal strap or ledge members 22 and 23, respectively. The upper ledge member 22 is mounted at the upper end of the access opening by means of an angle iron 25 having one flange 26 thereof secured as by welding to the upper surface of the longitudinal rear edge portion 27 of the ledge member inwardly of wall portion 14, and the other flange member 28 of the angle iron is secured as by welding or the like to the inside surface of the sheet metal panel of lower wall portion 14 above the access opening. The bottom end of the access opening 20, as previously indicated, is defined by ledge member 23 which is secured in fixed rigid position by means of an angle iron 30 having a flange portion 31 secured as by welding or the like to the bottom surface of the inner horizontally extending edge of the ledge mernber 23, and a second flange portion 29 of the angle iron 30 is secured as by welding or the like to the inside surface of the sheet metal panel of wall 14'below the access opening. The horizontally extending ledge members 22 and 23, as shown, have their outer edge portions projecting outwardly of the outer surface of lower wall portion 14, and as will be described, provide for the mounting between the ledge members 2-2 and 23 of a plurality of stationary storage racks 32, and for closure means comprising a plurality of rotatable cover members 33. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the stationary storage racks are arranged in side by side relation transversely of the access opening 20 between its side edges, and each of the stationary storage racks 32, as best shown in FIG- URE 5, is preferably formed of metal or other suitable material and comprise a body member 35' extending lengthwise of the height of the access opening, and upper and lower integral end flanges 36 and 37, respectively. Upon reference to FIGURES 2 and 5, it will be seen that upper and lower end flanges 36 and 37, respectively, of the storage rack members 32 are fixedly mounted on rivets or pins 38 extending through openings 39 formed in the flanges 36 and 37, and which rivets or pins are fixed at their outer ends to upper and lower ledge members 22 and 23. The lengthwise extending portions 35 of stationary storage rack, in the preferred form of my invention, are arcuate in transverse cross-section providing concave and convex surfaces 49 and 42, respectively, for the same. The several storage racks 32 are mounted in fixed position as before described with the concave surfaces 40 thereof facing forwardly or toward the access opening, and with the convex surfaces 42 thereof facing rearwardly or inwardly of the case.

Upon reference to FIGURE 6, it will be seen that the several cover members 33 of the closure means of my present invention are substantially of elongated semicylindrical form and have upper and lower closed ends 45 and 46, respectively. The cover members 33 are formed of sheet metal or the like and as shown the closed ends 45 and 46 are provided with openings 47 which fit about the mounting pins 38 for the storage racks to provide for journalling or the rotatable mounting of the cover members about the axes of fixed mounting pins 38. It will thus be seen that the mounting pins 38 provide axes of rotation extending lengthwise of the rotatable covers 33 and the axes extend upwardly and inwardly from the base of the case in the same direction as the lower front wall portion 14. Each of the rotatable covers 33 along one lengthwise edge thereof is formed with an integral flange 48 which, as best seen in FIGURE 4, in the closed positions of the covers abut the free opposite lengthwise edges 49 of the covers. The several covers 33 as previously indicated are of semi-cylindrical form and the concave surfaces 50 thereof in the closed position of the covers are disposed in opposed facing relation to the concave surfaces 40 of the stationary storage racks 32. When the several covers are rotated to their opened positions, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the concave surfaces 50 are disposed rearwardly or behind the convex surfaces 42 of the stationary racks 32.

From the above description it will be clear that the several cover members 33 may be individually rotated from their closed positions as shown in FIGURE 4 to open positions rearwardly of or behind the storage racks 32 so that access may be had to goods stored on the storage racks 32 through the access opening 20 in the lower wall portion 14. However, in the preferred form of my invention, I employ gang operator means, indicated generally at 51, arranged between the upper closed ends 45' of the rotatable covers 33 and the lower or inside surface of upper ledge 22. The gang operator 51 comprises member 52, which as best seen from FIGURE 7 comprises a bar member having a plurality of laterally extending lugs 53, one each of which is adapted to have pivotal connection to one each of the upper closed ends 45 of the rotatable covers as by means of pins 54 connecting such lug portions as at 55 at the sides thereof opposite flanges 48. It is further preferable and desirable as illustrated in FIGURE 2, that gang operating means as aforedescribed be duplicated and arranged between the lower closed ends 46 of the several rotatable cover members and the upper surface of lower ledge 23.

An end rotatable cover member 33, such as the cover member at the right hand side of FIGURE 1, has a locking element or lug 60 made fast to the flange 48 thereof substantially intermediate its upper and lower ends and is slotted to receive a bail 62 secured to the adjacent portion of the side wall portion 14 so that a lock 63 may be applied to retain the locking elements in locked position and thus lock the several covers in their closed positions.

It will be recognized from the aforesaid description that the several stationary storage racks 32 by reason of their inner concave supporting surfaces provide for the ready support thereon of a plurality of cans in stacked end to end relation, and especially so when the cans are of a diameter having outer cylindrical surfaces approximating those of the concave surfaces of the storage racks. Also, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is preferable that the lengthwise axes of the storage racks 32 and the rotatable covers 33 generally parallel the inclination of lower wall portion 14- i.e., incline upwardly and inwardly of the case from the base of the latter so that when canned goods are stored on the several stationary storage racks 32, they are tilted inwardly of the case and are less inclined to be accidentally dislodged from the storage racks. It will be further noted that the several rotatable covers 33 are of suitable widths to cover the respective storage racks 32. and the goods thereon, and the combined widths of the several rotatable covers substantially equals the width of the access opening 20. Further, the several rotatable covers 33 are of lengths substantially equal to the vertical height of the access opening and as best seen in FIGURE 2, the upper and lower ends 36 and 37 thereof lie immediately below the ledges 22 and 23. Thus, in the closed and locked position of the several rotatable covers, access to the goods stored on the storage racks is prevented. When the case is to be opened, the lock, of course, is first removed and the locking element 60 moved off of the bail 62. Rotation of any of cover members 33 through the gang operator means above described effects the conjoint rotation of all of cover members to their positions in which the concave surfaces of the covers 33 are disposed behind the convex surfaces of the several storage racks 32 rendering the goods on the racks accessible through the access opening 20.

The several rotatable cover members 33 are preferably of semi-cylindrical form as previously noted and especially so when the goods to be stored on the storage rack comprises canned goods. In the storage and display of such canned goods, the outer convex surfaces of the several covers may be provided with indicia simulating or substantially duplicating that of the labels on the cans stored on the storage racks. Thus in the closed position of the several cover members, an outward appearance is achieved simulating the view that would be presented to the eye with the cover members opened and the several racks fully loaded with the can goods in stacked relation in each of the racks. This feature of my invention is of advantage for advertising purposes as previously indicated, and also affords identification of the goods within the rack for the convenience of the gasoline station operator in dispensing, as well as replenishing the case. The case in its closed condition thus presents a pleasing appearance, all to the end of indicating the kind and nature of the goods stored within the case.

As previously indicated the case may accommodate other components such as for example a charge plate device as indicated at 64 disposed upon a shelf 65 at the upper ends of the lower wall portions 14- and 15. Further, suitable covers and other facilities for collecting and draining used cans, such as cover 66 for covering an opening into which emptied cans may be inserted and a receptacle 67 for collecting such cans.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A storage and display case having a wall provided with an access opening, a plurality of stationary storage racks mounted in side by side relation at and extending lengthwise between the top and bottom of said access opening, closure means corn-prising a plurality of cover members, one for each of said storage racks, mounted for rotation at the ends thereof above and below the upper and lower ends of said storage racks, respectively, on axes extending lengthwise of said racks for positioning of said cover members forwardly and rearwardly of said storage racks, gang operator means connecting said cover members with each other for conjoint rotational movement about their axes of rotation, and said cover members being of lengths substantially equal to the height of said access opening, of widths to cover their respective storage racks, and of a combined width substantially equal to the Width of said access opening, whereby said cover members in their positions forwardly of said storage racks cover the latter and close said access opening, and in their positions rearwardly of said storage racks afford access to the latter through said access opening in said Wall.

2. A storage and display case having a wall provided with an access opening, a plurality of stationary storage racks mounted in side by side relation at and extending lengthwise between the top and bottom of said access opening, said storage racks being arcuate in transverse cross-section and having the concave surfaces thereof facing toward the outer surface of said wall, closure means comprising a plurality of cover members, one for each of said racks, said cover members being substantially of semi-cylindrical form having closed upper and lower ends mounted for rotation above and below the upper and lower ends of said racks, respectively, on axes extending lengthwise thereof and of said racks for positioning of said cover members with their concave surfaces forwardly of the concave surfaces of said storage racks and rearwardly of the convex surfaces of said storage rack-s, gang operator means connecting said cover members for conjoint rotational movement about their axes of rotation, and said cover members being of lengths substantially equal to the height of said access opening, of widths to cover the respective storage racks, and of a combined width substantially equal to the width of said access opening, whereby said cover members in their positions forwardly of said stationary racks cover the latter and close said access opening, and in their positions rearwardly of said storage racks afford access to the latter through said access opening in said Wall.

3. A storage and display case having a wall provided with an access opening, a plurality of stationary storage racks mounted in side by side relation at and extending lengthwise between the top and bottom of said access opening, said storage racks being arcuate in transverse cross-section and having the concave surfaces thereof facing toward the outer surface of said wall, closure means comprising a plurality of cover members, one for each of said racks, said cover members being substantially of semi-cylindrical form and having closed upper and lower ends mounted for rotation above and below the upper and lower ends of said storage racks for positioning of said cover members with their concave surfaces forwardly of the concave surfaces of said storage racks and rearwardly of the convex surfaces of said storage racks, gang operator means connecting the upper and lower ends of said cover members with each other for conjoint rotational movement about their axes of rotation, and said cover members being of lengths substantially equal to the height of said access opening, of widths to cover their respective storage racks, and of a combined width substantially equal to the width of said access opening, whereby said cover members in their positions forwardly of said storage racks cover the latter and close said access opening, and in their positions rearwardly of said storage rack afliord access to the latter through said access opening in said wall, and locking means between said closure means and said case to lock said cover members in their positions forwardly of said storage racks.

4. A storage and display case having an upwardly and inwardly inclined wall provided with an access opening, a plurality of stationary storage racks mounted in side by side relation at and extending lengthwise between the top and bottom of said access opening substantially parallel with said wall, said storage racks being arcuate in transverse cross-section and having the concave surfaces thereof facing toward the outer surface of said wall, closure means comprising a plurality of cover members, one for each of said racks, said cover members being substantially of semi-cylindrical form and having closed upper and lower ends mounted for rotation above and below the upper and lower ends of said racks, respectively, on axes extending lengthwise thereof and of said storage racks for positioning of said cover members with their concave surfaces forwardly of the concave surfaces of said storage racks and rearwardly of the convex surfaces of said storage racks, gang operator means connecting the upper and lower closed ends of said cover members with each other for conjoint rotational movement about their axes of rotation, said cover members being of lengths substantially equal to the height of said access opening, of widths to cover their respective storage racks, and of a combined width substantially equal to the Width of said access opening, whereby said cover members in their positions forwardly of said storage racks cover the latter and close said access opening and in their positions rearwardly of said storage rack afford access to the latter through said access opening in said wall, and locking elements between the cover member at one side of said access opening and said one side of said case adapted to be locked together to lock said cover members in their positions forwardly of said storage racks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

